I'm quite perplexed and need to know what I've done wrong. (I assume it to be user error). Here's the setup: 5DIII in live view mode (photo not video) to compose and focus the shot. Tv mode with an 85mm 1.8 Canon lens attached.

I was shooting a series of portraits of a football team, when at the tail end of the series, my 5DIII decided to NOT record a picture when I released the shutter. This happened with the last 10 pictures in a series of about 50. The mirror & shutter seemed to have done their job (by sound) but no picture was recorded.

I recognized that during those last shots, my flash (550ex triggered by the st-e2) also did not fire. I thought it was only a line of sight issue having slightly moved the light for those shots, but I feel now they were connected somehow.

I don't remember changing any settings, so I fear it was a camera issue, but I just can't understand it. So, oh wise FM community, what say you? Can someone tell me what I did wrong? Has someone else had this happen to them? Is it a camera issue and not me?

Looking for help. Thanks in advance for reading and assisting with a response.

Was a RAW or JPEG file created? If so, check the EXIF in DPP or whatever software you use to process photos. Since the flash didn't fire, it is possible that you have a very underexposed image that looks like a black frame.

Doctorevil23 wrote:
I recognized that during those last shots, my flash (550ex triggered by the st-e2) also did not fire. I thought it was only a line of sight issue having slightly moved the light for those shots, but I feel now they were connected somehow.

molson wrote:
I didn't think you could use flash with Live View mode...?

Flash works just fine in LV. There would have been a real firestorm on these forums if flash was disabled!

If you shoot faster than the recycle the 550EX will not fire. Happens to me in the heat of the moment every now and again.

Hard to say what happened as there are so many variables. Could be something with your card or a camera problem. Maybe the CMOS overheated or the battery was getting low. Or the camera needs a PRAM reset.

Hi, I have had this problem (cannot get the shutter to fire in Live Mode, 5D3) happen once - no flash involved. I checked the settings, went out of Live Mode and then back into Live Mode - same problem.

I powered Off then On and problem gone. Haven't been able to figure out what combination caused the problem.

I tried shooting last night in LV mode with no flash and again, no pictures are created when I shoot. I turn the camera on, switch on LV (still mode) half-press to focus. Full press to take the picture (SD card in, no CF card in). Shutter activates, screen blanks. I then try and review the picture by pressing the play button. No picture.

I've disabled and enabled live view shooting with no change. Not sure what other setting to check. Might need to go in for service, but I'll need to wait for my 1DIII to come back first. My issue now is confirmed to not have anything to do with the flash/st-e2 at all.

Doctorevil23 wrote:
I tried shooting last night in LV mode with no flash and again, no pictures are created when I shoot. I turn the camera on, switch on LV (still mode) half-press to focus. Full press to take the picture (SD card in, no CF card in). Shutter activates, screen blanks. I then try and review the picture by pressing the play button. No picture.

I've disabled and enabled live view shooting with no change. Not sure what other setting to check. Might need to go in for service, but I'll need to wait for my 1DIII to come back first. My issue now is confirmed to not have anything to do with the flash/st-e2 at all.

Yes, before you cart the works off to Canon, reset the PRAM: remove mains and backup (clock) batteries and let set a spell. Usually fixes my cameras, computers, phones, etc., when they go haywire. Too bad it doesn't work with people too...

Doctorevil23 wrote:
...I turn the camera on, switch on LV (still mode) half-press to focus. Full press to take the picture (SD card in, no CF card in). Shutter activates, screen blanks. I then try and review the picture by pressing the play button. No picture.

I'm not familiar with your camera model, but just to check:

Could it be that it's set to allow firing with no card inserted, and also set to go to the CF slot instead of the SD slot?

I'd experiment by having a card in both slots and see if it records then.